MNP guide: what to know before switching operators and keeping your number

Mobile number portability, or MNP, lets you move to another mobile operator without changing your number. On 3 November, Infozillion Teletech BD Ltd, the company licensed to run the MNP service in Bangladesh, asked customers on its Facebook page to remember two things: MNP changes your operator, but your mobile number stays exactly the same. This guide sets out how MNP works, what it costs, how long it takes and the conditions that apply, based on official information from BTRC, Infozillion and an operator.

What MNP is

According to the BTRC website, MNP is the process of moving a connection to another operator while keeping the existing mobile number unchanged. BTRC took up the initiative in 2017 to improve customer service and increase competition among mobile operators. According to Infozillion, MNP is available for numbers on four operators: Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi and Teletalk.

Where and how to apply

• You apply directly at the customer care of the operator you want to move to (BTRC). For example, Grameenphone’s website lists GP Experience Centres, GPCs, Service Touch Points and SIM replacement points as its MNP channels.
• Under Grameenphone’s terms, you need the NID number that was used to buy the SIM, along with your fingerprint.
• Infozillion says all documents required for a new subscriber, as specified by the regulator, are also required for MNP. Postpaid customers must also provide a copy of their last bill.
• You will need a new SIM from the new operator. You cannot choose the date and time of porting yourself; you are informed when the process is complete and the new SIM is activated.

What it costs

Infozillion’s FAQ lists the porting charge as Tk 50 (plus VAT). Grameenphone’s website shows an MNP charge of Tk 57.50, with the SIM price added on top: Tk 357.50 in total for a physical SIM (300 + 57.50) and Tk 306.50 for an eSIM (249 + 57.50) when moving to Grameenphone. SIM prices may differ at other operators.

How long it takes

According to Infozillion, porting takes a maximum of three working days, or 72 hours. Grameenphone says new MNP SIMs are activated only between 9am and 11pm, and not on Fridays, Saturdays or public holidays.

Conditions to keep in mind

• Waiting period: Infozillion says you can port your number as many times as you like, but there is usually a 90-day period after one MNP before another request can be made. Grameenphone’s terms mention 90 days for other operators and 60 days for GP.
• No dues: postpaid customers must settle all dues first. Grameenphone adds that there must be no emergency balance or other contractual obligation.
• Roaming: under Grameenphone’s terms, customers who are roaming cannot do MNP. Infozillion says international roaming on the existing SIM is switched off as soon as the porting request is received.
• Keep the number active: Grameenphone’s website says that, under regulatory guidelines, if a number stays inactive for 180 days after porting (no chargeable use such as calls, outgoing SMS, internet or roaming calls), it automatically reverts to the original operator.

What stays and what changes

• Stays: your mobile number stays the same, and contacts saved on the phone remain.
• Changes: the operator and the SIM card change. Contacts saved on the old SIM do not move to the new one, so Infozillion advises copying them to the phone before porting.
• Balance: unused prepaid balance is not refunded or adjusted (Infozillion). Grameenphone also says remaining internet, voice and SMS balances are not carried forward.
• Packages and services: the new operator’s call rates and packages may differ, the bill cycle may change, and value-added services need to be registered again.
• MFS: Grameenphone’s terms say MNP can be done with any kind of MFS account.